Enab Baladi – Wasim al-Adawi
The former Syrian regime imposed complex procedures and stringent conditions on traders and industrialists for import and export, exacerbating a shortage of the state’s foreign currency resources. However, after the regime’s fall, the restrictions on the flow of imports and exports were swiftly lifted, opening the door to commercial activity and both local and foreign investments.
The initial suspension of the “Import License” and “Import Form” by the Ministry of Economy and Industry contributed to lifting the burden of violations that traders faced related to the foreign exchange systems issued by the Central Bank of Syria, effectively reviving the freedom of commercial operations in the markets.
Border Crossings: No Complicated Procedures for Importing Goods
In a statement to Enab Baladi, the Director of Public Relations at the General Authority for Land and Sea Crossings, Mazen Alloush, said that the procedures related to import licenses and forms are currently suspended. To bring goods through customs, an importer simply needs to present a commercial invoice, certificate of origin, bill of lading, and insurance certificate (if the goods are insured).
Alloush added that after the importer pays the customs fees and clears the imported goods, the shipment must undergo technical and health inspection if necessary, depending on the type of imported material. If the goods are food or medical items, they are tested in a laboratory. Otherwise, they are inspected, appraised, and directly admitted. He confirmed that there are no complicated procedures to import goods into Syria.
There are standard specifications approved for all goods allowed entry into Syria. If any goods violate those specifications, they are either destroyed or returned to their source, “depending on the case.” No non-compliant goods are permitted to enter, according to Alloush.
Standard approvals for local products and imported materials and goods are issued by the Syrian Standards and Metrology Organization, affiliated with the Ministry of Industry (currently the Ministry of Economy and Industry).
Former Regime’s Laws Paralyzed Imports
Decision No. “1130-L A,” issued by the Central Bank of Syria in 2023 regarding the financing of imports for the private and joint sectors—alongside a long list of other decisions—required importers to undergo a series of complex procedures to allow them to clear their goods through customs and bring them into the country. This was to prove that the foreign exchange financing came through private banks, authorized exchange companies, and their accounts and financial resources inside and outside Syria, based on the presence of a license and import approval.
The same decision also required importers to submit import licenses in all cases, whether the foreign exchange came from local exchange companies, the importer’s available resources abroad, or in cases of deferred financing not exceeding 180 days. It also imposed high settlement fees on violating importers—all this before the suspension of the import license system.
Customs Clearance in Three Days
As a result of the simplification of procedures and the suspension of import licenses and forms, the time needed for customs clearance of goods at land and sea customs points dropped from seven days to two or three working days—unless there are violations by the importer or delays in submitting the import invoice—according to customs broker Othman Abdullah.
In an interview with Enab Baladi, Abdullah explained that the customs clearance process begins with the arrival of the goods at the port or crossing, unloading the containers or shipment, obtaining the delivery permit from the shipping agent or transport company, and submitting the documents, which include: the commercial invoice, certificate of origin, bill of lading, packing list, and others. Some goods also require approval from the competent authorities. Samples are taken and sent to laboratories for analysis—such as the Ministry of Agriculture or the Ministry of Health. Then, customs fees are paid, and the goods are transferred to the importer’s warehouses.
Importers’ Concerns: Ambiguity from the Finance Ministry
In an interview with Enab Baladi, a member of the Executive Office of the Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Agriculture, Moataz Sawwah, spoke of concerns among importers due to ambiguity from the Ministry of Finance and the General Authority for Taxes and Fees about whether imports are subject to income tax, so that traders and importers can be aware of their tax obligations.
Sawwah asked, “Will the financial departments and the Tax and Fees Authority request customs data for imports and subject them to income tax at the end of the year or not? This is what troubles importers and makes them hesitant to import the local market’s needs of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and other food and industrial products.” He noted that this question has been raised to the Ministry of Finance several times without receiving an answer to date.
The effect of taxes on imports lies in understanding the true cost of imported materials. A high or low tax rate reflects on the market price of the goods themselves. Sawwah called for setting general and clear principles for financial deductions on imports and exports, so traders know their financial obligations and entitlements.
He proposed that income tax on imports (if applicable) be deducted during the customs clearance process at the border crossings when the goods enter Syria.
Finance Ministry Refrains from Answering
Enab Baladi reached out to the Director General of the General Authority for Taxes and Fees to clarify whether there is an annual income tax on imports or whether this tax has been suspended pending a review, reduction, or exemption. However, it received no answers clarifying the matter.
Agricultural Calendar and Imports
The member of the Executive Office of the Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Agriculture also called for adopting Syria’s agricultural calendar as a reference for the entities supervising and facilitating agricultural product imports to maintain the continuity of agricultural activity. He proposed imposing relatively higher customs duties on imported agricultural products, such as vegetables and fruits, when Syria has abundant domestic production, to protect local producers.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Agriculture, its directorates, and agricultural chambers addressed the General Authority for Land and Sea Crossings and halted the import of products such as tomatoes, potatoes, chicken, and eggs during their peak domestic production seasons to support and protect farmers and local production, according to Sawwah. He emphasized that coordination regarding imports should continue throughout the year.
While no official figures are available on the volume of imports to date, the capacity for importing has significantly expanded. This has enabled Syrian companies to access international suppliers, technologies, and raw materials that had been unavailable for years. This is particularly important for manufacturing industries reliant on imported inputs and for the reconstruction sector that needs international equipment and materials, according to an analysis published by international trade expert Jihad Sanjab on the “Tijar” website.
The supply sector is gradually regaining its integration as Syrian companies rebuild their relationships with international suppliers and clients. This process requires time to rebuild trust and form new commercial ties. However, the legal and financial barriers that previously hindered it have now been removed.
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